Parsha Podcast with Ari Goldwag

What is the idea behind a father being forbidden from serving as a judge in his son's court case, and vice versa? What is the role of the Kohen as judge? Why is the concept of proper judgment a foundational precept for the entire world's existence? What happens to the social structure when courts do not fulfill their proper role? What is the importance of hierarchy in human interaction and in society as a whole? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

How does a person merit blessings? What is the singular mitzvah (commandment) that includes all the other ones? Why does that single commandment precede the concept of receiving blessings? What are the negative spiritual forces we need protection from, and how do we get that protection? What is the concept of the sixth and seventh as it relates to Elul (6) and Tishrei (7)? How do we start preparing to make Hashem our King? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

How can we be assured that Hashem will fulfill His promise to give us the land of Israel if we are far from deserving of that? How do we know that we will merit miracles and that Hashem will defeat our enemies in a way that is beyond our natural ability? What is the concept of the blessing on water - that 'all was brought into being with His word?' How does that relate to the many miracles that the Jewish people experienced with water? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

What is the concept of 'Krias Shema' - the reading of Shema? Can we also apply the other meaning of kriah - calling? Why is it important to say the words carefully? Who are we calling to when we say 'Hear O Israel' - ourselves? The people of Israel as a whole? How does this verse represent the concept of proclaiming Hashem as our King? What is the depth behind the midrash's teaching that Hashem prefaced the ten commandments with the words 'Shema Yisrael' - Hear O Israel? What was behind the Jewish people's response that 'Hashem our God, Hashem is One?' Why did Moshe respond to this by saying 'baruch Shem' - 'blessed is the Name?' Why do we say this very line on Yom Kippur when the Kohen Gadol announces Hashem's name in the Beis Hamikdash? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

What is the purpose of exile - how does being sent away from a center of spirituality serve to return us to Hashem? Why is it guaranteed that no matter how far we are from Hashem that we will return? How did the forty years of wandering in the wilderness serve to return us to Hashem and enable us to enter Israel? How did king Menashe end up being saved miraculously after becoming so distant from Hashem and causing the Jewish people to sin grievously with the sin of idolatry? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

What is the concept of a vow or oath that involves the name of Hashem? What are the the three characteristics necessary for a person to be able to use the name of Hashem in an oath? Why do these attributes give greater value to the mention of His name? Why can it be so destructive to use Hashem's name in an oath for mundane matters, even if it is a truthful oath? What is the difference between using Hashem's name in an oath versus using His name in a blessing? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

What is the idea of Peace? Why is this blessing of peace given to Pinchas? How does his act of killing someone who is publicly desecrating Hashem's name create Peace? What are the 'Torah's paths of Peace?' Why do we ask of a person's peace on his return from a trip? Why is Peace the 'vessel that holds blessings?' How do we find Peace for ourselves? Why do the humble and the righteous receive Peace? How do we deny the Evil Inclination of his 'demands?' Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

What is the idea behind the 'little mitzvahs' that provide big protection? How does the 'little' mitzvah of washing one's hands provide long life? Why do we learn this lesson from such seemingly unlikely stories? Why did Bilaam realize he was unable to curse the Jewish people? How do we become partners with Hashem? Where do we see that His name is in our name? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Why is the formula to purify a person who has come in contact with the dead so full of hints to judgment - red and fire? Why does this purity come about by causing impurity to the Kohen who is performing the process? Why does Avraham, a great righteous individual, come from the wicked Terach? Why do we find similar situations with righteous kings who were sons of wicked kings? Why does the people of Israel find its formation in the womb of the outside world, which is filled with idolatry and false ideology? Why does the tzara'as-leprosy contaminate in a small amount, but is considered pure when it covers the entire body? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

What is the depth behind the sons of Korach who will be raised out of their place in Gehinom in the future? What is the connection between this and the idea of the double letters in Hebrew that have different versions in the middle and end of the word? How do these double letters indicate a concept relating to redemption and Moshiach? How do each of these five letters have to do with the forefathers and the redemption from Egypt and the future redemption? How does this relate to the 40 years that were a punishment for 40 days? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

What is the essence of a good messenger? Why was Pinchos able to make himself invisible as he was involved in his spying activity? Why were the spies in our parsha viewed negatively (in their perception)? What is the nature of the final messenger (Eliyahu Hanavi) who will be sent immediately before Hashem reveals Himself to the world? How does the desire for Eretz Yisrael constitute the essence of what we are 'sent' to do in our service of Hashem? How can we be true messengers and 'angels' of Hashem? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

What is the concept of the 7 stringed, 8 stringed and 10 stringed instruments of the Levites in the Temple? Why do they correspond to this world, the Messianic age and the World to Come? Why were they assigned by King David and the prophet Samuel? Why do we speak of stringed instruments when there are also monotonal wind instruments? Why are the Levites 'beloved to Hashem?' What is the idea of the unique aspect of the Levites of singing to Hashem? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

What is the depth behind the vow of the Nazir who promises not to drink wine? What were the mistakes of the Northern kingdom of Israel and how did it contrast to the mistakes of the Southern kingdom of Judah? Why do the Jewish people lay claim to our great people - wealthy, wise and strong - in the face of the claims of the nations of the world? How do we protect our special and exalted Land of Israel of onslaught, and prevent the exile of our people? What is the message of the Nazir, who protects him or herself from the sins that can come with wine? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Why does the Torah go into such detail in describing the location and specific date that Hashem commanded Moshe to count the Jewish people? What is the idea that righteousness is associated with a mountain, while judgment and wickedness are associated with a pit of darkness? What is the relationship between the darkness that the wicked people seek to cloak their deeds and the darkness of this place of depth? Why does Hashem shroud the date of the destruction of the Temple with vagueness, while in contrast, bringing great detail to the date of the counting, which connotes the greatness of the Jewish people? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

What is so special about the regular talk of the people of Eretz Yisrael (Israel)? What is the unique message of the poor person who was once rich? What is the wrong approach to the poor person? What happens to the rich person who can't share his wealth and belittles the poor man? What is the proper approach when it comes to sharing the Torah and talent that one is blessed with? Find out in this week's parsha podcast.